Fort Christmas Plaque Honors Former Director

December 22, 1985|By Juanita Tucker

Orange County officials have placed a memorial plaque at the Fort Christmas Museum and Park in honor of Jay Blanchard, former county parks director, who was a key figure in rebuilding the early 19th century fort.

The plaque was presented by the parks department and its advisory board Dec. 11 in ceremonies attended by Dova Blanchard and her daughter, Claire. Also present were Orange County Commission Chairman Tom Dorman, and Betty Hill, former curator of the museum. Jim Buck, county parks manager, made the presentation.

The plaque honors Blanchard, who died Sept. 10, with this inscription: ''With deep appreciation for his insight, knowledge, dedication and loyal service in making Fort Christmas a reality. May it serve as a lasting reminder and inspiration to all who pass this way. Jay L. Blanchard, Orange County Parks Director, March 5, 1973 -- Sept. 7, 1984.''

Blanchard did extensive research into the history of the fort, the reconstruction of which began as part of the county's 1976 bicentennial celebration.

Historians have said that U.S. soldiers sent to help settlers battle the Seminole Indians occupied a log fort on Dec. 25, 1835, and called it Fort Christmas.

Blanchard, however, discovered new information in 1977 in surgeon N.S. Jarvis' diary at the New York Academy of Medicine. An excerpt from the diary, dated Dec. 27, 1837, says, ''Today we finished our Fort which we called Fort Christmas, having commenced it on that day.''

-- The board of directors of the Christmas Civic Association will meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Christmas Community Center.

-- Congratulations to Debbie Guentner and Jeffrey Button, who were married Monday night. The wedding was performed at the permanent Christmas tree in the community's Peace Garden.

-- There will be a Fifth Sunday covered-dish dinner after the morning worship service at Fort Christmas Baptist Church Dec. 29. A treat is scheduled: a return visit by the handbell choir of College Park United Methodist Church. The group will perform at the 11 a.m. service.

-- Christmas Church of God will present a play, The Silver Forest, at 6 p.m. today. The church also will have a live Nativity scene at 6:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.